.A 


/^^iSSFPsSff^ 


V 


<■/.' 


'■^^\^^.^p^^' 


Mmtin  Luthbs. 


BY 


REV.  CHARLES  A.  DICKKY,  D.  D. 


»  . 


MMTIN  LUTHE 


JUL  9  I9]n 


A  SKETCH 


OK    HIS   CHARACTKR  AND   WORK, 


SDGGESTED   BY   HIS 


KOUR  HUNDRKDTH:  BIRTHDAY: 


Pkesented  to  the  Congregation  of  Calvary  Presbyterian 
Church,  Philadelphia. 


By  their  Pastor 

Rev.   Charles  A.   Dickev,  D.  D., 

November  11,  1888. 


Riablisheci   bv    Reqiaest. 


philadelphia : 
Matlack  &  Harvey,  Printers  and  Lithographers, 

224-28  South  Fifth  Street. 
1884. 


MMTIN  LUTHER. 


The  wide  spread  enthusiasm  awakened  by  the  Four  Hun- 
dredth Birthday  of  Martin  Luther,  is,  at  once,  a  testimony 
to  the  personal  power  of  the  great  Reformer,  and  to  the 
mighty  influence  of  the  principles  for  which  he  so  nobly  con- 
tended. 

This  enthusiasm  finds  an  easier  explanation  in  G-ermany. 
Luther  stamped  his  character,  indelibly,  upon  Germany. 
His  convictions  and  courage  gave  Germany  a  release  from  the 
bondage  of  the  Papacy,  that  remained,  the  curse  and  weak- 
ness of  her  neighbors,  and  a  heritage  of  liberty  that  has  given 
her  great  power. 

Luther  gave  Germany  the  Bible.  The  Bible  has  given 
Germany  prosperity  and  power. 

No  wonder  that  Luther's  Hymns  inspire  his  countrymen 
in  battle,  and  shake  the  strong  towers  of  their  foes.  No  won- 
der that  after   they  have   gathered   the  fruits  of  Luther's 


MARTIN   LUTHER. 


faithfulness,  for  four  centuries,  his  grateful  countiymen 
should  be  moved  by  this  enthusiasm,  to  do  honor  to  his 
memory. 

Men  mark  periods.  Single  men  are  clothed  by  God  with 
singular  powers,  to  meet  the  emergencies  of  trying  times. 
God  sends  men  into  the  world  on  special  missions,  to  do  spe- 
cial work.     Luther  was  such  a  man. 

A  direct  purpose  of  God,  a  divine  commission,  peculiar 
gifts,  a  wonderful  fitness  for  his  work  and  for  his  time,  these 
are  the  distinct  marks  that  make  Luther  conspicuous.  Luther 
is  so  identified  with  the  work  of  Reformation  that  concerns 
the  world,  that  it  is  no  surprise  to  find  all  Christendom  vying 
with  the  Fatherland  to  do  honor  to  the  Teuton,  who  enfran- 
chised and  blessed  the  world. 

This  general  desire  to  do  honor  to  Luther  shows  what  a 
strong  hold  his  principles  have  upon  the  world.  The  current 
of  the  new  life  of  the  Reformation  runs  deep.  The  precious 
seed  that  Luther  sowed,  in  strife  and  storm,  has  yielded  a 
glorious  harvest. 

The  gladness  of  this  anniversary  is  a  great  sign  of  life  and 
power  in  Protestantism.  Luther's  principles  must  live  or 
Luther's  memory  would  not  be  so  sacred. 

Let  us  hope  that  the  retrospect  may  suggest  to  German- 
Americans  the  inconsistency  of  breaking  down  Protestant 


MARTIN    LUTHER. 


institutions,  which  have  their  foundations  in  the  truth  for 
which  Luther  contended.  By  the  force  of  a  religious  convic- 
tion we  have  gained  our  civil  and  religious  liberty.  Luther 
opened  the  Bible  and  revealed  our  inheritance.  Those  who 
cherish  his  memory  should  avoid  contention,  and,  by  united 
■effort,  defend  the  truth,  whicli  he  had  the  courage  to  pro- 
claim. 

The  people  of  Prussia,  at  home  and  abroad,  should  give 
good  heed  to  the  counsels  of  their  Christian  Emperor.  In  a 
letter  to  his  son,  the  Crown  Prince  of  Prussia,  giving  him  a 
commission  to  carry  his  congratulations  to  the  Wittenberg 
Lutherfest,  Emperor  William  says: 

"  I  feel,"  as  an  Evangelical  Christian,  and  as  tlie  chief  custodian  of  the 
government  of  the  cliurch,  a  lively  interest  in  every  celebration  of  the  kind 
by  which  the  Evangelical  Creed  may  tind  renewed  vigorous  expression. 
I  also  highly  appreciate  the  rich  blessings,  for  our  dear  Evangelical  church, 
which  may  come  forth  from  the  fact  that  her  members  everywhere  have 
been  reminded  of  the  rich  inheritance,  and  the  illustrious  benefits,  which 
Ood,  the  Lord,  has,  through  the  Reformation,  conferred  upon  us.  At  Wit- 
tenberg especially,  the  chief  theatre  of  Luther's  mighty  and  divinely- 
blessed  labors,  I  would  not  be  unrepresented  at  such  a  Fest,  and  this  all 
the  more,  as  it  extends  beyond  the  measure  of  a  merely  local  celebration. 
I,  therefore,  hereby  impose  upon  your  Imperial  and  Royal  Highness,  my 
beloved,  the  duty  of  representing  me  at  the  festal  service  referred  to.  I 
beseech  God,  the  Lord,  that  the  approaching  Lutherfest  may  contribute  to 
the  awakening  and  deepening  of  Evangelical  piety,  the  futherance  of  good 
morals,  and  the  confirmation  of  peace  in  our  church. 


MARTIX    LUTHER. 


This  glowing  tribute  of  the  noble  Emperor  is  ratified  by 
the  devout  words  of  his  royal  son.  Standing  in  presence  of 
cherished  memorials  of  Luther  and  his  reforming  associates 
in  Church  and  State,  the  Prince  said : 

"In  these  rooms  there  have  been  brought  together,  in  a  very  judicious 
manner,  memorials  of  every  description  of  the  days  of  the  Reformation, 
and  to  their  increase  and  completion  I  wish  a  successful  progress  ;  for  our 
people  cannot  be  reminded  often  enough,  nor  vividly  enough  of  the  great 
blessings  which  they  owe  to  the  man  whose  name  is  borne  by  this  hall. 
Who  does  not  here,  and  to-day,  reflect  upon  what,  in  more  than  one  depart- 
ment of  our  German  national  life,  the  spirit  and  labors  of  Martin  Luther 
have  procured  for  us?  May  this  fest,  dedicated  to  his  memory,  be  to  us  a 
holy  admonition  to  hold  those  great  blessings  won  for  us  by  the  Reforma- 
tion in  the  same  spirit  in  which  they  were  wrested  from  the  foe  (sie  einst 
erruugen  worden  sind).  Especially  may  it  confirm  us  in  the  determina- 
tion to  stand  up  at  all  times  for  our  Evangelical  creed,  and  with  it  for 
liberty  of  conscience  and  toleration.  And  may  we  always  continue  mind- 
ful of  this,  that  the  strength  and  essence  of  Protestantism  rest  not  in  the 
mere  letter  or  rigid  form,  but  upon  the  living,  humble  striving  after  the 
knowledge  of  Christian  tnith. 

"In  this  sense  I  greet  the  present  and  following  days  of  the  Lutherfest, 
with  the  heartfelt  wish  that  they  may  contribute  to  strengthen  our  Protest- 
ant consciousness,  to  protect  our  German  Evangelical  church  against  dis- 
cord, and  to  place  her  peace  upon  a  firm  and  enduring  foundation." 

Characters  are  developed  by  the  times  in  which  they  ap- 
pear and  act.  Doubtless,  Luther's  stirring  time  did  much 
to  motild  the  great  character  we  so  much  admire.  But 
Luther  did  more  to  make  his  times  thrilling,  than  his  times 
did    to   make  him  conspicuous.     It  is  the  Reformation  in 


MARTII^^   LUTHER. 


Luther  that  we  admire,  rather  than  Luther  in  the  Keforma- 
tion.  There  was  scarcely  a  whisper  of  Reformation,  before 
this  monk  uttered  his  convictions  in  the  Convent  of  Erfurt. 

The  world  was  ready  for  a  great  event  and  a  great  man  is 
furnished  for  the  emergency.  God's  clock  always  strikes  on 
time.    God's  times  and  God's  instruments  appear  together. 

Without  Luther  there  would  have  been  no  such  Reforma- 
tion. Luther  was,  himself,  the  very  incarnation  of  the  Re- 
formation. Luther  was  the  lirst-fruit  of  the  splendid  harvest. 
He  first  felt  the  power  by  which  he  moved  the  world.  No 
man  was  ever,  more  manifestlj',  the  man  appointed  and  pre- 
pared by  God  for  a  particular  work,  than  was  Luther,  the 
man  appointed  and  prepared  by  God  for  the  work  of  the  Re- 
formation. He  was  as  transparent  as  glass.  He  was  as  true 
as  steel.  He  was  as  firm  as  a  rock.  He  bewildered  his  oppo- 
nents by  the  audacity  of  his  courage.  The  careless  compo- 
sure, with  which  he  met  their  threats,  rendered  them  power- 
less to  execute  them. 

We  discover  certain  political  complications,  and  personal 
protections  that,  in  part,  account  for  some  of  Luther's  won- 
derful deliverances.  We  also  discover  a  prudent  dread  in 
Luther's  enemies  that  sometimes  restrained  them,  when  they 
were  anxious  to  destroy  him.  But  it  is  not  possible  to  follow 
Luther  through  his  eventful  life,  to  see  him  continuallv  ex- 


MARTIN    LUTHER. 


posed  to  the  vengeance  and  wicked  plots  of  his  enemies,  to 
find  him  often  in  the  very  jaws  of  death,  and  not  feel  per- 
suaded that  there  was  a  strange  charm  about  his  life. 

The  providence  that  protected  Luther  is  as  marked  as  the 
providence  that  commissioned  him  for  his  work.  Luther 
was  surprised  by  his  own  securit}^,  and  each  escape  gave  him 
deeper  conviction  and  new  courage,  and  determined  a  bolder 
assault  upon  the  enemies  of  the  Church.  Every  time  that 
God  'hid  Luther  in  his  pavilion  and  covered  him  with  his 
wings,'  his  principles  seemed  to  put  on  new  strength,  his  con- 
victions struck  their  roots  deeper  and  the}' found  firmer  hold. 
Luther  was  encouraged  by  the  nearness  of  God,  he  felt  the 
sympathy  of  Christ,  his  faith  increased  in  power,  he  believed 
that  his  revolt  was  righteous,  and  was  firmly  persuaded  that 
the  truth  which  he  advocated  would  triumph. 

The  great  historian  of  the  Reformation  says :  "AVe  must 
study  the  Reformation  of  Luther  to  comprehend  the  Refor- 
mation of  Christendom." 

The  Reformation  was  evolved  from  the  heart  and  experi- 
ence of  Luther,  and  foun;-!  its  best  illustrations  in  the  strug- 
gles and  triumphs  of  his  life. 

From  his  father,  Lutiier  inherited  strength  of  character, 
and  from  his  mother  he  inherited  piety  and  these  two  forces, 
i»y  the  grace  of  God,  accomplished  the  Reformation.    Luther 


MAKTIN^   LUTHER. 


took  his  name — Martin — from  the  Saint,  upon  the  eve  of 
whose  day  he  was  born,  the  10th  of  November,  in  the  year 
1483. 

Poverty  was  Lutlier's  discipline,  and  the  poor,  with  whom 
he  mingled  in  his  youth,  suggested  his  work.  "  In  the  glow- 
ing fires  of  his  father's  furnaces  he  might  read  the  prophe- 
cies of  those  purifying  tires  which  he  was  to  kindle  in  the 
earth;'  The  hardships  which  God  regards  so  aifectual, 
were  Luther's  preparations  for  work.  lie  had  "  hardness  to 
endure,"  for  God  would  make  him  '-a  good  soldier."  By 
singing  carols  in  the  streets  he  earned  his  daily  bread.  When 
he  was  homeless  he  found  refuge  in  a  Shunamite's  compas- 
sion. 

Luther's  father  was  ambitious  for  other  honors,  than  those 
with  which  God  would  crown  his  son.  He  sent  him  to  the 
university  to  study  law.  But  Luther's  own  thoughts  turned 
early  to  God.  God  struck  a  light  in  the  Library  of  Erfurt 
that  changed  Luther  and  his  destiny.  This  was  the  light 
that  revealed  the  path,  that  led  Luther  to  his  work  and  the 
world  to  freedom.  From  an  old  Bible  Hashed  the  light  of 
heaven,  the  soul  of  Luther  caught  it  and  in  joy,  he  turned  it 
upon  a  dark  and  deceived  Church. 

Alas,  for  corrupt  Rome  I  Luther  has  discovered  the  con- 
cealed light  that  will  reveal  her  errors  and  crimes.     Joy  to 


10  MARTIN    LUTHER. 


the  world  1  Luther  has  found  the  key  to  life  and  liberty. 

Strange  enough,  Luther's  first  Bible  reading  is  the  story 
of  Samuel,  God's  ordained  instrument,  whom  he  raised  up  to 
deliver  Israel  from  the  oppressions  of  corrupt  priests. 

Luther  is  entirely  unconscious  of  the  plans  of  God  which 
are  working  in  him  and  with  him.  He  does  not  know  the 
full  value  of  his  discovery.  lie  does  not  know  that  he  has 
released  the  prisoner  who  is  to  redeem  and  reform  the  world. 
He  does  not  know  that  his  hand  has  touched  the  torch  that 
is  to  light  up  the  darkness  that  has  been  gathering  and  deep- 
ening for  a  thousand  years,  and  to  start  a  conflagration  that 
should  surprise  the  world.  Luther's  first  thoughts  are  of 
himself.  In  the  joy  of  his  discovery  he  begins  to  struggle 
for  a  better  life.  He  is  terrified  by  sin  and  pleads  for  divine 
favor. 

The  Reformation  has  begun  in  Luther.  Like  Saul  of 
Tarsus,  beside  whom,  in  his  whole  life  and  work,  Luther 
stands  so  similar,  he  is  called  to  a  change  of  life  and  pui'pose,. 
by  a  light  from  heaven.  Barely  escaping  death  in  a  storm, 
Luther  suddenly  renounces  the  world  and  gives  up  the  pur- 
suit of  its  honors.  He  buries  himself  in  a  convent  and  asks 
for  the  orders  of  a  monk.  He  is  brought  by  God  into  the 
very  bosom  of  the  Church  which  it  is  his  mission  to  purify 
His   refuge    reveals    more    light.      lie   finds  another   Bible 


MARTIIf    LUTHER.  U 


chained  in  the  convent.  It  is  his  constant  companion.  Still 
bound  hand  and  foot,  in  the  prevailing  darkness  and  igno- 
rance of  his  times,  Lnther  labored  hard  to  be  justified  hy 
personal  sacrifice  and  works. 

While  in  the  agony  of  this  conflict,  under  deep  conviction 
and  in  great  distress  of  soul,  the  light  of  a  friendly  heart 
cheers  Luther's  loneliness  and  sorrow.  John  Staupitz,  who 
proved  a  true  friend  in  many  after  trials,  visited  Erfnrt,  took 
a  deep  interest  in  Luther  and  taught  him  the  way  of  repen- 
tance and  faith  that  leads  to  holiness  and  to  God.  Staupitz 
gladdened  Luther's  heart  with  the  gift  of  a  Bible.  God 
keeps  the  sword  of  the  spirit  in  the  Reformer's  hand. 

Immediately  the  power  of  a  great  preacher  is  felt.  By 
victory  over  sin  and  by  the  discovery  of  truth,  Luther  is 
clothed  with  power  to  proclaim  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

A  distinguished  professor,  who  heard  him  preach,  declared, 
"  This  monk  will  pat  all  doctors  to  the  rout,  he  will  intro- 
duce a  new  style  of  doctrine  and  will  reform  the  whole 
Church  ;  he  builds  upon  the  word  of  Christ,  and  no  one  in 
this  world  can  either  resist  or  overthrow  that  word." 

Luther's  fame,  as  a  preacher,  spread  rapidly.  He  was 
hampered  by  hesitation,  w^hen  urged  to  preach  in  the  Church 
of  the  Augustines. 

He  is  called  to   Wittenberg  and    receives   the   notice   of 


12  MARTIN    LUTHER. 


Frederic,  Elector  of  Saxony,  who  became  his  life-long  pro- 
tector and  friend. 

All  the  while  Luther  is  unconsciously  gathering  fuel  for 
the  great  tire  he  is  to  kindle. 

At  the  age  of  28,  full  of  reverent  thoughts  of  Rome, 
Luther  is  favored  with  an  opportunity  to  visit  the  sacred 
city.  On  the  way,  he  is  amazed  and  grieved  to  find  in  a 
Lombard  Convent,  the  most  extravagant  indulgence  and  the 
Avorst  forms  of  worldliness.  His  devotion  is  chilled  by  the 
profanity  of  priests.  His  pious  soul  is  pained  by  the  discov- 
<.'ry  of  worse  evils  at  Rome ;  where  he  expected  to  find  the 
sanctity  of  heaven,  in  Christ's  seat,  he  was  horrified  by  the 
sport  that  was  made  of  the  Holy  Sacrament. 

''The  nearer  Rome,  the  fewer  Christians,'"  was  the  sad 
meditation  of  tlie  a;;tonished  monk.  The  veil  was  torn  from 
Christ's  bride,  whom  he  adored  for  her  supposed  virtue,  and 
Luther  was  distressed  by  her  depravity.  In  his  anguish 
1 1  is  heart  seeking  relief  from  its  heavy  burden,  still  leaning 
upon  the  broken  reed,  Luther  prostrated  himself  at  the  foot 
of  Pilate's  staircase,  and  began  the  humble  ascent,  in  the 
hope  of  finding  favor  with  God.  As  he  crawled  along  in 
self-debasement,  he  heard  a  clear  and  distinct  voice,  saying, 
■"  The  just  shall  live  by  faith.''  That  moment  the  spell  of 
superstition  was  broken,  and  the  true  light  broke  in  upon 


MARTIN    LUTHER.  13 

Luther's  soul.  The  Reformer  was  free.  Luther  went  to 
Rome  to  settle  a  dispute  that  had  arisen  among  monasteries. 
But,  on  Filate's  staircase,  God  put  the  key  of  the  Reforma- 
tion into  his  hands,  and,  by  a  revelation  of  truth,  qualified 
him  for  settling  graver  difficulties.  Describing  this  experi- 
ence, Luther  says,  "  I  felt  myself  born  again,  as  a  new  man, 
and  entered  by  an  open  door,  into  the  very  paradise  of  God. 
I  saw  the  precious  Holy  Scriptures  ivith  new  eyes ;  this  text 
of  Paul  was  to  me,  the  very  gate  of  heaven."  This  visit  to 
Rome  was  the  beginning  of  Luther's  divorce  from  a  corrupt 
Church,  and  he  betrothed  himself  in  confident  faith  to 
Christ. 

Impressed  by  these  significant  events  which  were  crowding 
about  him,  Luther  began  to  feel  in  himself  the  growth  of 
great  purposes,  and  to  hear  more  distinctly  God's  calls  to  a 
courageous  service. 

"  "Within  my  heart,"  he  says,  "  reigns  alone,  and  must 
alone  reign,  faith  in  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  alone  is  the 
beginning,  the  middle,  and  the  end  of  the  thoughts  that  oc- 
cupy me,  day  and  night."  Luther  laid  the  foundations  of 
his  work  of  reform  in  earnest,  simple,  Scriptural  preaching. 
He  did  not  begin  bj  proclaiming  and  assailing  errors.  He 
proclaimed  the  truth.  He  preached  faith,  the  sole  condition 
of  salvation.      He  labored  incessantly  to  impress  leading 


14  MARTIN^   LUTHEK. 


minds  and  close  friends,  with  the  great  truth  that  burned  in 
his  own  soul.  He  embraced  every  opportunity  to  put  the 
^ood  leaven  into  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

While  Luther  was  being  thus  quietly  prepared  for  more 
perilous  work,  and  for  his  closer  conflict  with  a  corrupt 
Church,  the  indignation  of  those  who  had  still  some  rever- 
ence for  sacred  things,  and  some  regard  for  the  purity  of  the 
Church,  was  aroused  by  the  disgusting  and  profane  traffic  of 
indulgences.  The  Church  had  become  "  a  house  of  merchan- 
dise and  a  den  of  thieves."  The  procession  of  these  venders 
of  permits  for  sin  was  a  sorry  spectacle.  Coming  into  a  place 
in  a  gay  carriage,  with  imposing  horsemen,  the  profane  ven- 
der would  cry  aloud,  "  The  grace  of  God  is  at  your  gates.'' 
The  Pope's  indulgence  was  carried  in  sight,  upon  a  velvet 
cushion,  and  beside  it  was  raised  a  large,  red,  wooden  cross. 
With  songs  and  prayers  and  the  smoke  of  incense,  the  sale 
began.  With  the  air  and  manner  of  an  auctioneer,  the  bold, 
bad  Tctzel  would  cr\',  "  This  Cross  has  as  much  eflicacy  as 
the  Cross  of  Jesus  Christ — draw  near  and  I  will  give  you 
letters,  duly  sealed,  by  which,  even  the  sins  you  shall  here- 
after desire  and  commit,  shall  be  all  forgiven  you."  "  0, 
senseless  people,"  he  would  continue,  if  the  crowd  was  slow 
to  accept  his  licenses,  "  Who  do  not  comprehend  the  grace 


MARTIN    LUTHER.  15 


SO  richly  offered  ;  this  day  heaven  is  on  all  sides  open  ;  this 
day  ye  may  redeem  many  souls." 

This  was  the  unblushing  crime  of  Rome  that  stirred  the 
indignant  soul  of  Luther  to  its  depths.  This  treason  against 
Christ  determined  him  to  declare  war  against  the  traitors. 
Such  transparent  deception  and  horrid  blasphemy  began  to 
open  the  eyes  of  an  oppressed  and  deluded  people.  They 
found  themselves  separated  from  God,  impoverished,  to  pay 
pi'ofane  usurpers  a  large  price  for  God's  free  mercy,  and  re- 
duced to  a  spiritual  bondage  that  was  degrading.  The  eyes 
and  hearts  of  the  people  were  looking  for  a  deliverer.  They 
were  ready  for  the  Reformation. 

A  fierce  conflict  was  raging  in  Luther's  soul.  The  thought 
of  renouncing  his  allegiance  to  the  Church  and  to  its  head, 
the  Pope,  whom  he  reverenced  as  the  representative  of  Christ, 
distressed  him.  But  neither  could  he  silently  endure  such 
infamies  and  withdraw  his  protest.  When  the  holders  of 
these  indulgences  presented  them  at  the  confessional,  in  pay- 
ment for  sins,  Luther  protested  them  and  declared  them 
worthless. 

This  was  his  declaration  of  war.  It  meant  more  than  he 
supposed,  more  than  he  intended.  Luther,  unconsciously, 
lighted  the  fires  of  the  Reformation,  which  should  spread 
over  continents  and  purify  Christianity.      His  rejection  of 


16  I^IAETI^r   LUTHER. 


these  worthless  indulgences  at  the  confessional,  was  but  the 
duty  of  a  faithful  pastor,  fearlessly  discharged,  but  the  still, 
small  voice  of  the  confessional  became  the  battle-cry  of  reli- 
gious freedom. 

Growing  bolder,  Luther  openly  preached  against  the  ini- 
quity of  indulgences.  But  his  conscience  could  not  rest  sat- 
isfied in  these  milder  protests.  Still  adhering  in  firm  allegi- 
ance to  the  Church,  and,  in  loyal  recognition  of  the  authority 
of  his  superior,  upholding  the  character  of  the  Pope,  with 
no  purpose  of  attacking  either,  he  carefully  prepared  his 
bolder  declarations  against  these  abuses  of  authority,  against 
this  arrogant  usurpation  of  Christ's  power  to  forgive  sins. 

It  was  All  Saints'  Day.  Crowds  were  gathering  at  the 
door  of  Wittenberg  Church.  The  relics  of  the  Saints  were 
expected  to  quiet  the  consciences  of  worshippers. 

With  the  courage  of  a  lion,  on  the  evening  of  the  31st  of 
October,  1517,  Luther  pushed  through  the  crowd,  and  in 
their  presence,  nailed  ninety -five  theses  against  indulgences 
upon  the  door  of  the  Church. 

These  hammer  strokes  sent  terror  to  the  heart  of  a  corrupt 
Church,  roused  all  Germany,  reverberated  around  the  world, 
stirred  the  spirit  of  the  Reformation,  and,  after  nearly  four 
hundred  years,  their  echoes  awaken  joy  in  the  whole  earth. 

Luther's  action  surprised  alike  his  friends  and  his  foes. 


MARTIJf   LUTHEK.  17 


He  did  not  "confer  with  flesh  and  blood."  God  and  his 
own  conscience  prompted  this  act  that  made  the  Reforma- 
tion inevitable.  Luther's  theses  waked  the  Vyorld.  Their 
immediate  effect  was  tremendous.  They  are  summed  up  in 
one  bold  declaration. 

"God  alone  can  remit  sins,  and  only  upon  condition  of 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ." 

Thus  Luther,  with  a  sublime  courage,  drew  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  and  set  himself  for  the  conflict  which  was  to  rage 
and  deepen,  and,  by  its  success,  deliver  millions  from  the 
bondage  of  blindness  and  corruption,  and  give  to  the  world 
the  priceless  blessings  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 

Luther's  own  avowals  show  that  he  took  steps  towards 
an  advanced  position,  which,  at  the  time,  he  was  not  dis- 
posed to  assume.  God  was  calling  and  leading  him  and  he 
followed  in  faith,  "  not  knowing  whither  he  went." 

"  I  entered  the  controversy,"  he  says,  "  without  any  settled 
purpose,  or  inclination,  and  entirely  unprepared."  God 
made  Luther's  unconsciousness  his  power.  Conscious  refor- 
mers are  failures.  Men  who  are  impressed  with  their  own 
power,  and  imagine  themselves  furnished  for  great  work  do 
not  generally  impress  others  with  their  power,  or  surprise 
them  with  their  accomplishments.  God  held  Luther  to  his 
task  by  uncovering  his  work  slowly.     In  recognition  of  the 


18  MARTIN   LUTHER. 


authority  of  his  superiors,  and  with  his  usual  frankness, 
Luther  laid  before  them  the  convictions  and  protests  which 
truth  and  conscience  compelled  him  to  utter. 

But  they  left  him  alone  with  God  and  an  approving  con- 
science. The  authorities  of  the  Church  condemned  him. 
Fellow  priests  refused  their  favor.  But  "  the  common  peo- 
ple heard  him  gladly,"  as  they  heard  his  Master,  whose 
trampled  honor  Luther  was  brave  enough  to  defend. 

The  people  brought  fuel  to  the  fire  that  Luther  had  kin- 
dled. Within  a  month  after  their  publication,  Luther's 
theses  were  as  familiar  as  household  words.  They  began  to 
awaken  echoes  in  convents  where  pious,  but  powerless  monks 
were  mourning  over  the  corruptions  and  errors  of  the  Church. 
They  were  whispered  at  many  altars  where  priests  were  pure, 
but  had  not  courage  to  complain.  Even  the  Pope  was  fasci- 
nated by  the  courage  of  the  man  who  had  struck  this  fatal 
blow  against  the  Papacy.  Timid  souls,  who  would  rather 
enjoy  the  peace  of  death  than  brave  the  weary  conflicts  that 
purify,  expressed  their  fears  and  regrets  upon  every  side.. 
Luther  received  his  deepest  wounds  in  the  house  of  his 
friends.  His  own  order  pled  with  him  to  recant  and  save 
them  from  the  danger  and  disgrace  of  this  revolt.  Luther's 
calm,  confident  answer  was:  "If  it  is  not  of  God,  it  will 
come  to  naught;  if  it  is,  let  it  go  forward."     Luther's  own 


MARTIN   LUTHER.  19 


accounts  of  his  terrible  dejection  in  this  hour  of  suspense 
are  distressing.  They  reveal  his  sincerity  of  heart  and  his 
humble  trust  in  God.  They  give  the  lie  to  the  charge  that 
he  was  prompted  by  personal  ambition,  and  show  that  he 
was  actuated  by  the  love  of  truth  and  his  loyalty  to  Christ. 

The  bitter  attacks  of  his  enemies  roused  him  from  the 
dejection  into  which  he  had  been  cast  by  the  coldness  of  his 
friends.  Their  violence  developed  a  new  courage.  Luther 
terrified  his  enemies  and  inspired  his  friends  by  the  spirit 
in  which  he  met  the  assaults  that  were  made  upon  him. 

The  wrath  of  Rome  began  to  burn  fiercely,  and  vengeance 
was  busy  devising  plans  for  its  execution.  The  first  efiort 
of  Luther's  enemies  was  to  wean  his  powerful  friend,  the 
Elector  of  Saxony.  They  thought  this  would  soonest  check 
his  influence  and  doom  this  dangerous  man.  But  God  had 
sent  Frederic  into  the  world  to  w^atch  over  Luther  while  he 
did  his  work.  Frederic  was  the  rock  in  the  shelter  of  whose 
shadow  Luther  was  to  find  refuge  and  rest. 

When  Luther  heard  whispers  of  excommunication,  he 
anticipated  the  Pope's  decree  by  preaching  powerful  ser- 
mons to  show  the  folly  of  such  attempts  to  stifle  truth. 
There  was  an  unseen  army  at  Luther's  back  ever  ready  to 
rise  in  his  defence. 

At  the  Diet  of  Augsburg  when  the  dread  of  a  Turkish 


20  MARTIN    LUTHEK. 

invasion  prevailed,  Luther  boldly  warned-  the  people  that 
worse  than  Turks  threatened  them  from  Rome. 

At  last  the  Reformer  is  summoned  to  Rome  to  answer  for 
his  revolt.  His  friends  are  in  consternation,  but  Luther  is 
firm.  The  Pope  is  induced  to  change  his  order,  and  a  Legate, 
with  sweeping  powers,  is  sent  to  Saxony  to  confer  with 
Luther.  It  soon  became  apparent  that  Luther's  convictions 
were  more  powerful  than  a  Pope's'  decrees  or  threats. 

It  was  in  this  trying  hour  that  Luther's  life  was  bright- 
ened by  the  friendship  of  Melancthon.  His  joy  at  meeting 
this  man  of  God,  who  was  to  stand  beside  him  in  many  a 
perilous  hour,  banished  his  troubles  and  dangers  from  his 
mind.  Against  the  entreaties  of  his  friends,  Luther  met 
the  Pope's  Legate  to  answer  whatever  accusations  he  might 
make.  When  asked  by  the  arrogant  (Cardinal,  who  expected 
Luther  to  recant,  "When  all  forsake  you,  where  will  you 
take  refuge?"  "Under  heaven?"  answered  Luther,  with 
heroic  faith  in  God  and  the  righteousness  of  his  cause. 
"  Had  I  a  hundred  heads,  I  would  rather  lose  them  all  than 
retract  the  testimony  I  have  borne  to  the  holy,  Christian 
faith." 

In  a  moment  of  despondency  Luther  had  thoughts  of 
France  as  a  safe  refuge,  where  he  might  preach  the  truth 
jind  push  the  Reformation  with  less  resistance.     How  differ- 


MAKTIN   LUTHEB.  21 

•ently  might  history  have  been  written  had  Luther  aban- 
doned Germany  and  adopted  France?  Light  and  power 
and  prosperity  would  have  been  difterently  bounded  by  the 
Rhine. 

Luther's  influence  widened  and  deepened  and  flowed  on 
like  a  mighty  irresistable  river.  Driven  by  necessity,  for  he 
continued  to  dread  an  absolute  divorce  from  the  Church,  he 
challenged  the  primacy  of  the  Bishop  of  Rome,  and  unfurled 
the  banner  of  Protestantism.  When  pressed  to  declare  his 
creed,  not  intimidated  by  memories  of  martyrdom,  he  iden- 
tified himself  with  Wickliffe  and  Huss.  Excommunication 
eame  at  last.  Luther  answered  the  Pope  with  courtesy 
and  courage.  He  fearlessly  laid  bare  the  corruptions  that 
had  compelled  the  course  for  which  he  was  condemned. 

"  I  cannot  retract,"  he  says,  ^  the  word  of  God,  which  is 
the  fountain,  whence  all  true  liberty  flows,  must  not  be 
bound."  He  repeats  Paul's  memorable  prison  declaration, 
and  jDroclaims  the  freedom  of  the  word  of  God. 

Luther's  Gethsemane,  as  it  is  characterized,  the  scene  of 
the  marvelous  prayer,  by  which  he  prepared  himself  to  face 
his  enemies  at  the  Diet  of  Worms,  is  one  of  those  marked 
places  in  his  wonderful  life  that  reveal  his  spirit  and 
strength.  We  see  him  humble  in  spirit  and  strong  in  the 
Lord.     A¥ith  his  hand  upon  God's  word,  and  his  heart  bur- 


28  MARTIN    LUTHER. 


dened  with  the  awful  realities  that  were  closing  about  him, 
he  made  a  solemn  vow  to  God  to  stand  firm  for  his  truth, 
though  his  fidelity  might  incur  death.  It  is  a  wonder  that 
Luther  ever  came  out  of  that  storm  of  human  passion  alive. 
The  excited  apsembl}'^  was  awed  to  silence  by  his  heroic 
appeal:  "I  stand.  I  can  do  no  other.  jSlay  God  help  me. 
Amen ! " 

The  monk,  made  strong  by  his  agony  of  prayer,  van- 
quished his  accusers.  He  saved  an  Empire.  He  redeemed 
the  Church  from  the  bondage  of  her  corruption. 

Lest  the  rejoicing  world  should  make  a  hero  of  the  instru- 
ment, and  forget  that  the  power  was  of  God,  and  that  to 
God  belonged  the  glory,  the  conquering  Reformer  is  hur- 
ried into  retirement. 

The  imprisonment  in  Wartburg  Castle  seemed  to  throw  a 
cloud  over  the  Reformation.  But  it  gave  Luther  rest  and 
time  for  meditation.  While  Luther  rested,  God  worked 
out  larger  opportunities,  and  prepared  the  people  for  new 
advances.  Luther  came  out  of  his  retirment  clothed  with 
ncvV  power.  He  soon  found  opportunity  for  his  old  courage, 
and  met  a  King  as  fearlessly  as  he  had  met  a  Pope.  Henry 
of  England  found  his  match  in  the  German  Reformer. 

If  we  had  time  to  trace  Luther's  labors  in  the  work  of 
reconstruction,  we  would  find  that  they  revealed  the  same 


MARTIX   LUTHER.  23 


devotion  and  faithfulness  which  we  liave  discovered  in  the 
midst  of  these  thrilling  events  that  resulted  in  the  breaking 
of  the  yoke  of  Rome. 

I  have  imperfectl}^  outlined  a  great  character.  I  have 
shown  you  the  shadow  of  a  remarkable  life. 

Hardly  filling  God's  allotted  time,  Luther  turned  his  face 
towards  the  humble  German  village  within  which  he  was 
born.  He  went  home  to  revive  the  memories  of  his  youth. 
God  suddenly  took  him  and  made  his  youth  perpetual. 
Wherever  this  Gospel  of  grace  is  preached,  so  long  as  men 
believe  that  "  by  grace  they  are  saved  through  faith," 
Martin  Luther  will  be  remembered  as  the  man  of  faith  and 
courao-e  who  revolutionized  the  world  with  the  truth  of  the 
word  of  God. 

"Our  strength  is  weakness  in  the  fight, 
Our  courage  soon  defection  ; 
But  comes  a  Warrior  clad  in  might, 
A  prince  of  God's  election  : 
Who  is  this  wondrous  Chief 
That  brings  this  glad  relief? 
The  field  ot  battle  boasts 
Christ  Jesus,  Lord  of  Hosts, 

Still  conq'ring  and  to  conquer." 


PAMPHLET  ilNPa 

^Zr   Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

•^^   Stockton,  Colif. 


BW2222.D55 

Martin  Luther :  a  sketch  of  his 


